Evaluation of Feed Response Methods to Estimate Inventory of Catfish in Commercial Ponds

Abstract

Most commercial catfish ponds in the United States contain fish of various sizes ranging from 35 g fingerlings to >1.5 kg fish. Catfish farmers, when required by lenders and bankruptcy judges to estimate pond inventories, rely primarily on methods based on daily feeding response of catfish. These methods have not been evaluated systematically. Daily feed data from experimental (0.1-ha and 1.6-ha) and commercial (4-ha) ponds were used to characterize feed response of catfish and to compare the accuracy and precision of feeding response methods used to estimate fish inventories. Daily feed consumption of catfish was highly variable. Inventories estimated with feed response methods had errors of 16% to 37% in single-batch production and 28% to 49% in multiple-batch production. Inventories estimated with feed response methods were too inaccurate and variable for reliable use in management by lenders or the courts.